Guidance on Illness in School

Guidance on Illness in school

It is our aim to care for children as sensible parents would, under the conditions laid down by the LA.

If your child has been ill, please ensure that they have fully recovered before they return the school. We would ask that all parents contact the school on the first day of absence to advise us why their child is not attending, your co-operation with this is appreciated. If it is essential that a child be given medicine in school please contact the Headteacher.

Children who are unwell generally gain little benefit from doing school work, so in most cases we prefer not to send work home for poorly children. However, please discuss individual cases with your child’s class teacher.

Rashes and skin infections

Children with rashes should be considered infectious and assessed by their doctor.

Infection or complaint

Recommended period to be kept away from school, nursery or childminders

Comments

Athlete’s foot

None

Athlete’s foot is not a serious condition. Treatment is recommended

Chickenpox

Until all vesicles have crusted over

See: Vulnerable Children and Female Staff –Pregnancy

Cold sores, (Herpes simplex)

None

Avoid kissing and contact with the sores. Cold sores are generally mild and self-limiting

Can cause chickenpox in those who are not immune, ie have not had chickenpox. It is spread by very close contact and touch. If further information is required, contact your local PHE centre. See: Vulnerable Childrenand Female Staff – Pregnancy

Warts and verrucae

None

Verrucae should be covered in swimming pools, gymnasiums and changing rooms

Diarhoea and vomiting illness

Infection or complaint

Recommended period to be kept away from school, nursery orchildminders

Should be excluded for48 hours from the last episode of diarrhoea. Further exclusion may be required for somechildren until they are no longer excreting

Further exclusion is required for children aged five years or younger and those who have difficulty in adhering to hygiene practices. Children in these categories should be excluded until there is evidence of microbiological clearance. This guidance may also apply to some contacts who may also require microbiological clearance. Please consult your local PHE centre for furtheradvice

Cryptosporidiosis

Exclude for 48 hours from the last episode ofdiarrhoea

Exclusion from swimming is advisable for two weeks after the diarrhoea has settled

Respiratory infections

Infection or complaint

Recommended period to be kept away from school, nursery orchildminders

Comments

Flu (influenza)

Until recovered

See: Vulnerable Children

Tuberculosis*

Always consult your local PHE centre

Requires prolonged close contact for spread

Whooping cough* (pertussis)

Five days from starting antibiotic treatment, or21 days from onset ofillness if no antibiotic treatment

Preventable by vaccination. After treatment, non-infectious coughing may continue for many weeks. Your local PHE centre will organise any contact tracing necessary

Other infections

Infection or complaint

Recommended period to be kept away from school, nursery orchild minders

Comments

Conjunctivitis

None

If an outbreak/cluster occurs, consult your local PHE centre

Diphtheria *

Exclusion is essential. Always consult with your local HPT

Family contacts must be excluded until cleared to return by your local PHE centre. Preventable by vaccination. Your local PHE centre will organise any contact tracingnecessary

Glandular fever

None

Head lice

None

Treatment is recommended only in cases where live lice have been seen

Hepatitis A*

Exclude until seven days after onset of jaundice(or seven days after symptom onset if nojaundice)

In an outbreak of hepatitis A, your local PHEcentre will advise on control measures

Hepatitis B*, C*, HIV/AIDS

None

Hepatitis B and C and HIV are bloodborne viruses that are not infectious through casual contact. For cleaning of body fluid spills see:Good Hygiene Practice

Meningococcal meningitis*/ septicaemia*

Until recovered

Meningitis C is preventable by vaccination There is no reason to exclude siblings or other close contacts of a case. In case of an outbreak, it may be necessary to provide antibiotics with or without meningococcal vaccination to close school contacts. Your local PHE centre will advise on any action isneeded

Meningitis* due to other bacteria

Until recovered

Hib and pneumococcal meningitis are preventable by vaccination. There is no reason to exclude siblings or other close contacts of a case. Your local PHE centre willgive advice on any action needed

Meningitis viral

None

Milder illness. There is no reason to exclude siblings and other close contacts of a case. Contact tracing is not required

MRSA

None

Good hygiene, in particular handwashing and environmental cleaning, are important to minimise any danger of spread. If further information is required, contact your localPHE centre

Mumps

Exclude child for five days after onset of swelling

Preventable by vaccination (MMR x2 doses)

Threadworms

None

Treatment is recommended for the child and household contacts

Tonsillitis

None

There are many causes, but most cases are due to viruses and do not need an antibiotics